US for discussion on Gaza report in Human Rights Council

The United States said the UN report on Israeli war crimes in Gaza should be discussed in the Human Rights Council even as it focuses on relaunching of negotiations between Israel and Palestine to find a solution to the conflict.

The United States on Saturday said the UN report on Israeli war crimes in Gaza should be discussed in the Human Rights Council even as it focuses on relaunching of negotiations between Israel and Palestine to find a solution to the conflict.

"We believe this report should be discussed within the Human Rights Council and we look forward to participating in that discussion," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.

The fact-finding mission led by former South African Judge Richard Goldstone concluded that Israel has committed serious violations of human rights during its military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip ten months ago.

Kelly said the Obama administration will approach discussions on the report keeping in mind the underlying causes of the tragic events in Gaza -- the lack of a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians and the attacks by Hamas against innocent civilians.

Referring to the statement made by US President Barack Obama at the time of the events covered by the report, he said the US is deeply concerned about the loss of life and humanitarian sufferings in both Israel and Gaza.

"As we've said previously, prior to US membership, the UN's Human Rights Council set forth a one-sided and unacceptable mandate for this fact-finding investigation," he said.

Although the report addresses all sides of the conflict, Kelly said its overwhelming focus is on the actions of Israel.